landineen

laartista, we miss you!!!

filmwill

Is Prambanan more suited to be explored from our hotel in Borobudur or from our hotel in Yogya city? Looks like we might narrow our Yogya stay to 3 nights now and trying to figure out if we should spend 1 night in Borobudur for the sunrise @ the temple then head into the city for 2 nights (1 day @ Prambanan, 1 day exploring the city)...or we do 2 nights based @ Borobudur proper exploring both temple complexes and then 1 final night in the city to see the city itself.

Also, to that end, would you guys recommend, if cost weren't a factor, the Phoenix in-town or the Hyatt on the outskirts of town for the best overall experience?

MichaelBKK

Prambanan is very close to Yogya - just a couple kilometers from the airport. Depending on your arrival time in Yogya, you could do it on the way to Borobodur. Otherwise, it would be easy to do on the way back. As has been discussed, there isn't a lot to do in the center of town (a stroll down Marleoboro street one evening will be enough) so the Hyatt is just as good a choice as anything.

marmot

As Michael says you'll pass Prambanan on your way to or from the airport so it's easy to incorporate a stop along the way. A couple of hours will do it.

Yogya is a spread out town. The Hyatt is actually in Yogya but it’s not walkable to the Malioboro (shopping area) or the Kraton. The Phoenix/Mecure is very close to the Malioboro. Same for the Melia which is popular with Europeans.

I’ve stayed at the Melia but never at the Phoenix. On it’s website it looks like it’s had a makeover? Personally, I find Yogya too congested and trafficked to enjoy walking around much and I appreciate the relief of the Hyatt's gardens.

For three nights I’d do two at Borobudur and one in the town of Yogya. The countryside is really extraordinary and you may wish to return to Borobudur. I’d recommend once at dawn and once late afternoon.

StanKase

marmot; I had asked awhile ago about high quality leather shops in Yogya for bomber style (waist vs. car/surburban length) very soft calf skin jackets made in Central Java. In the US the type I am referring to would cost $500+USD and I read on some forum that high quality jackets of that type are available, is that correct?

marmot

Stan, I don't think of Indonesia as a leather destination. There is a leather industry but it's not as well developed as it is in, say, China, Korea or India.

Having said that you can buy just about anything in the Malioboro and a lot of the merchandise comes from other countries -- China, Vietnam, India for example -- so it's quite possible to find good value leather jackets as well.

MichaelBKK

I don't remember leather jackets in Yogya. Most of what's on offer are smaller items - bags, etc. If you want a leather jacket, or any clothing on the cheap, I'd head to Bandung.

filmwill

So we're pretty much all set. With one exception. I still have this nagging feeling we're spending too much time in Yogya.

I'm curious since I've gotten loads of varying opinions (from friends and Fodorites alike.) Kathie (whose taste I trust implicitly) seems to think there's a lot to do around the area while other of my friends who have visited (and some of you here) have told me that it's pretty much Borobudur and Prambanan and then just a bunch of batik hawkers.

Right now we have 2 nights in Borobudur proper at Sarawati (for touring Borobudur and Prambanan) and then 2 nights in the city at the Phoenix.

It's those last 2 day (and nights) where I'm still just not sure what we'd do to fill up our time.

Suggestions/thoughts?

Once I nail this, then the trip is pretty much ready to go.

MichaelBKK

Is it two full days? The Kraton and Kota Gede would fill up most of a day. If you have another full day, I'd be tempted to do a day trip to Solo.

marmot

I'm in the not-a-fan-of-Yogya category, but two days doesn't sound excessive. It really depends on how much enthusiasm you have for handicrafts shopping. There's a bewildering array of stuff -- the good, the bad and the ugly -- and I lose patience quickly. Other people can spend hours treasure hunting.

I would plan to see Prambanan while you are staying in Yogya (or enroute to or from the airport) instead of driving back and forth from the Borobudur area.

filmwill

funny you should mention that, michael. i've been thinking of maybe doing a day trip to Solo on one of those days. it seems like it's about 30-60 mins away by car, so that might be doable.

would you recommend getting a car/driver for this trip (so we can try and see Candi Sukuh, etc.)--and how much would something like that cost?--or would you recommend the train and hoofing it around solo?

marmot

Because of the density of population in the area Solo and Yogya are pretty much contiguous and in my opinion pretty much indistinguishable (although they're run by two different Sultans which evidently makes a lot of difference to the residents).

I wouldn't take the train unless you're determined to experience public transportation. Solo (and most of Yogya except the Malioboro) isn't much of a strolling city so it would be good to have a car at wait.

Prambanan is about half way on the road between Yogya and Solo.

Your hotel should be able to give you rates for a car and driver to Solo and/or to Candi Sukuh and the other mountain temples. I haven't been to Candi Sukuh for some time but as I remember it was a bit of a drive from Yogya.

Apropos to nothing this was a great website about Indonesian mountains that popped up in the Jakarta Post this weekend.
http://www.gunungbagging.com/

MichaelBKK

I remember the drive to Solo being longer, but I did Solo - the sultan's palace along with the market - as well as Candi Sukuh as a one-day trip from Yogya. You will definitely need a car and driver.